NFL Insider Calls Out Tom Brady Before Broadcasting Debut

Mike Florio is dubious about Tom Brady's chances of becoming a great NFL broadcaster.

Brady will start the latest chapter of his post-player career Sunday when he serves as the color commentator for FOX's broadcast of the Dallas Cowboys-Cleveland Browns game. One day before the Week 1 contest, Florio penned a column in which he expressed a primary concern for Brady in the booth.

"He would be great if he spoke his mind," Florio wrote for Pro Football Talk. "It's becoming more and more clear that he won't."

Florio acknowledged there are obvious downsides to being unapologetically honest and straightforward. But if Brady wants to thrive as a broadcaster, Florio believes the legendary quarterback should abide by the famous mantra of his Patriots days.

"Will saying what he really thinks create some problems? Hell, yes," Florio wrote. "He'll have to talk through some ruffled feathers. Fans will think he 'hates' their team. Some in the media might call him out for being too sharp in his assessments.

"Who gives a (expletive)? Brady knows the three-word mantra from New England better than anyone. Do your job. His job isn't to mince words. His job isn't to make people feel good. His job is to be honest with the audience about what he sees. Anything less than that is a disservice to the audience."

Of course, there are plenty of noteworthy people who don't have the same doubts as Florio. Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski, for one, believes Brady will "absolutely dominate" as an analyst.